Method and apparatus for automatic staining of tissue samples

ABSTRACT

The present invention concerns an apparatus ( 1 ) for staining tissue samples, said apparatus ( 1 ) including a reagent section ( 2 ) or reagent containers ( 3 ); at least one staining section or tissue samples, a robotic head ( 22 ) or robotic element ( 20 ) that may move reagent to a predetermined tissue sample, said robotic element ( 20 ) being moveable above the reagent and the staining sections, a control element ( 85 ) that may manage a staining process, a 2-D optical sensor ( 86 ) to detect two-dimensional image data of a relevant property and that can feed the captured image data to the control element ( 86 ). By providing the robotic element ( 20 ) with a 2-D optical sensor ( 86 ), a common image processor may be provided having multiple functions. By using a 2-D optical image processing system, the control system of the apparatus may easily be adapted to read various types of data presentations, just as actual images for sections of the apparatus may be identified in order to assess the condition of the apparatus. The optical sensor may be used to automatically identify the slides and the reagent containers present in the apparatus, just as the optical sensor may be used for checking if a slide is misplaced at or absent from a slide position, etc.

This application is the United States National Stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2003/040518, filed Dec. 19, 2003 which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/435,601, filed Dec. 20, 2002, each hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for automaticstaining of tissue samples. It may further relate to systems for sampleprocessing and data acquisition, data maintenance, and data retrievalfor sample processing. Applications to which the present invention mayespecially relate include immunohistochemistry, in-situ hybridization,fluorescent in-situ hybridization, special staining, and cytology, aswell as potentially other chemical and biological applications.

BACKGROUND

Tissue sample processing in immunohistochemical (IHC) applications andin other chemical and biological analyses, such as in-situhybridization, special staining and cytology, may require one or moreprocessing sequences or protocols as part of an analysis of one or moresamples. The sample processing sequences or protocols may be defined bythe individual or organization requesting an analysis, such as apathologist or histologist of a hospital, or may be defined by dictatesof a particular analysis to be performed, e.g. standardized protocolsdefined by an organization.

In preparation for sample analysis, a biological sample may be acquiredby known sample acquisition techniques and may comprise tissues which insome applications may even be one or more isolated cells. The tissuesample may be accommodated on a sample carrier such as a slide orperhaps a microscope slide.

For example, immunologic applications may require processing sequencesor protocols that comprise steps such as deparaffinisation, targetretrieval, and staining. Previously, in some applications, these stepsmay have been performed manually, potentially resulting in a timeconsuming protocol and necessitating personnel to be actively involvedin sample processing. In particular relating to the staining process,various devices for automated staining of tissue slides are known, asattempts have been made to automate sample processing to address theneed for expedient sample processing and less manually burdensomeoperation.

Aspects of the present invention may be especially applicable to sampleprocessing having one or a plurality of processing steps to be performedon one, a portion, or an entirety of samples, such protocols identifiedin some instances by the individual carriers presenting the samples.Aspects of the present invention may be especially applicable toimmunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques, as well as in-situ hybridization(ISH) and fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), especiallytechniques incorporating the staining of samples.

Embodiments of the invention may further relate to automated controlsystems for sample processing. Embodiments may also be directed to dataacquisition, data maintenance, data retrieval for sample processing,especially information sharing of processing protocol and processingstatus, such as for individual samples or multiple batch processing,sample diagnostic features, and real-time or adaptive capabilities formultiple batch processing.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,091 discloses an apparatus for automatic tissuestaining where microscope slides are arranged in a number of rows andreagent vials are stored in a section next to this slide section. Arobotic head picks up a predetermined amount of reagent from a bottleand deposits this amount of reagent on a predetermined slide and blowsthe liquid off the slides according to a control program. This programis run on a computer that is coupled to the staining apparatus. Theapparatus is loaded with a number of slides, and each slide and itsposition is registered in the computer and a staining sequence isselected. The program also receives data relating to the reagents andtheir position in the reagent section. On the basis of these slide andreagent position data, the program calculates a staining run andcontrols the robotic motion in the apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,861 discloses a carousel-type automatic stainingapparatus in which the slides are arranged on a rotatable carousel slidesupport and the reagents are similarly arranged on a rotatably carouselreagent support above the slide support. A particular slide is thenrotated to a delivery zone and a particular reagent vial is also rotatedto this position and reagent is dispensed onto the slide. The slides andthe reagent bottles are provided with bar codes and associated bar codereaders are provided to identify the slides and the reagentsrespectively. A blowing zone and an identifying zone are also providedat the periphery of the slide carousel. The slide bar codes identify theslide samples and their particular immunohistochemical processesrequired for the particular samples. A reagent bar code reader ispositioned to scan the reagent bar codes on the reagent bottles. Thescanned information from the slide bar code reader and the reagent barcode reader is fed into a computer and correlated with the indexedposition of the slide and the reagent carousel, respectively. Thisinformation is used to rotate the slide carousel and the reagentcarousel to place the correct reagent bottle in the dispense zone foreach slide treatment step for each slide.

A drawback of the automated staining apparatus described in '091 is thatthe position of each of the tissue slides and each of the reagent vialsin the slide section and in the reagent section, respectively, must beentered manually into the computer, since the control program cannotcheck the location of the particular slides and reagent vials. Thisinvolves the risk that a misplaced slide is treated with the wrongstaining protocol and makes the apparatus very inflexible in use.

Although the '861 patent uses a bar code identification of the slidesand reagents, this carousel-type apparatus is time consuming in runningthe staining protocols, since this involves rotating the carousels withthe entire reagent inventory and the slide carousel with all the slidesfor each step in a protocol. These rotations are time consuming and makethis type of apparatus unsuitable for running of larger numbers ofslides. Moreover, the bar codes can only carry a small amount of data,typically simply an identification code, which means that the controlcomputer must be provided with corresponding data associated with theidentification codes.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object for the present invention to provide an automatic tissuesample processing apparatus of the initially mentioned kind, withautomatic identification of the inventory of reagents and slides presentin the machine. Another object is to provide identification of relevantproperties of the apparatus to allow for automatic preparatory checksbefore a staining process of newly loaded slides is initiated.

In one embodiment these objects are achieved by an apparatus of theinitially mentioned kind wherein a robotic element, perhaps with arobotic head, is provided with an optical sensor, or perhaps a 2-Doptical sensor means for detecting two-dimensional image data of arelevant property and with the capability of feeding the captured imagedata to the control means.

The invention also provides a method of identifying at least oneproperty in an automatic staining apparatus perhaps including at leastone slide array and a reagent array and a robotic element or perhapsrobotic means for performing staining of the slides also using reagents;

-   -   said method including in one embodiment the steps of        -   providing optical sensor means on the robotic head of the            robotic means,        -   moving the optical sensor means on said robotic head to a            predetermined position,        -   recording relevant image data at said position, and            feeding said image data to a control system for manipulating            the staining process according to said image data.

Furthermore, the invention concerns a method of staining tissue samplesin an automatic staining apparatus perhaps including at least one slidearray and a reagent array, a robotic element or perhaps and roboticmeans for performing staining of the slides also using reagentsaccording to tissue sample specific staining protocols; said methodincluding in one embodiment the steps of:

-   -   providing optical sensor means on the robotic head of the        robotic means,    -   moving the optical sensor means on said robotic head to a        predetermined position,    -   recording relevant image data at said position by said optical        sensor means;    -   feeding said image data to a control system for manipulating the        staining process according to said image data; and        staining a tissue sample also using reagent from a reagent        container.

In embodiments, the automatic staining apparatus 1, that is anyapparatus that stains with at least some automated operation, mayinclude a reagent container 3. One or more reagent containers 3 may bepositioned in a reagent section 2 of the automatic staining apparatus 1.The automatic staining apparatus may also include a tissue sample 74which may therein be placed on a slide. A plurality of slides withtissue samples thereon may also be positioned in a slide section 5 ofthe automatic staining apparatus 1. The invention, in embodiments, mayalso include a robotic element 20, some type of control element, andeven an optical sensor (86), perhaps an image-capture 2-D opticalsensor. As can be easily understood, the control element 85, may be acomputer, software routine, or merely a particular programmableprocessor functionality.

As mentioned, the present invention may provide for the capability ofoptically sensing a two dimensional image. This can occur through animage-capture 2-D sensor which may provide a two-dimensional image of anelement in the auto staining apparatus 1. Through providing the roboticelement or perhaps a robotic head with a 2-D optical sensor or means, asbut one embodiment, a common image processing means is able to havemultiple functions. By using a 2-D optical image processing system, thecontrol system of the apparatus may easily be adapted to read varioustypes of data presentations, just as actual images of elements or forsections of the apparatus may be identified in order to assess thecondition of the apparatus. The optical sensor or optical sensor meansmay be used to automatically identify the slides and the reagentcontainers present in the apparatus, just as the optical sensor oroptical sensor means may be used for checking if a slide is misplaced ator absent from a certain slide position, etc.

An optical sensor provides a staining apparatus according to theinvention with a hitherto unseen flexibility and possibility ofautomating the identification functions in a staining apparatus. Byutilizing a CCD-camera or the like, perhaps on the robotic head or eventhe robotic element, individual identification means for each of theidentification tasks may no longer be required. This means thatcontrolling as well as maintenance of the apparatus is facilitated. Thesoftware controlling the apparatus may be adapted to include automatedidentifications of various properties and conditions of the apparatus,including slide and reagent information. By a method of identifyingrelevant properties in the staining apparatus and a method of performingthe staining process according to the invention, the automated stainingprocess may be less time-consuming and more qualitative checks may beincluded without loosing any significant speed in the slide stainingoperations.

In one embodiment of the invention, the reagent section accommodates aplurality of reagent containers stationary arranged in a plurality ofrows. Similarly, the tissue samples are accommodated on slides that arestationary arranged in a plurality of rows in the at least one stainingsection or slide section during the staining process. The layout ofthese sections is such that it presents a substantially planar platformwork area for the robotic head, which is moveable in the X and Y-axis.In a particularly preferred embodiment, a row of slides and/or reagentscan be removed and be replaced without interfering with the stainingprocess.

In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least twostaining sections separated by a reagent section, that is they may bearranged so that at least some of the tissue samples are closer to atleast some of the reagent containers. Hereby, the movements required bythe robotic head in order to reach all the slides may be significantlylimited and the capacity of the staining apparatus can hereby beincreased, just as a reduction in the time for running the stainingprotocols or other advantages may be achieved. It is further realizedthat these shorter processing times or other advantages may also beachieved by this layout of the slide and reagent sections without avision system, e.g. an optical sensor.

In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the optical sensor maybe a camera or perhaps include a CCD element. By the term “camera” itshould be understood that any image capture apparatus is intendedwhether or not is uses film, plates, memory, or any type of electronicmedia and whether or not it images light, visible electromagneticradiation, or even non-visible electromagnetic radiation such as nowwell known. By recording the relevant image, relevant image data, oreven recording digital image data, a computer processing of this data inthe control system may be carried out in a quick manner by known imageprocessing capabilities already available. Moreover, by using thisdigital technology relative complex images can be recorded with highresolution, just as a fast recording of several identifications, e.g.labels on an entire row of slides, may be achieved as the robotic headmay be moved across the slide labels in a continuous movement, so stopand start time for each slide identification may be avoided. However, bythe invention it is realized that other image sensors, e.g. solid statesensors, or perhaps CMOS sensors could also be used depending on therequirements for image resolution.

As indicated above, the optical sensor may be adapted to record theindividual reagent containers or bottles and slides present in theapparatus. While of course it may image larger areas, or perhaps eventhe entire device, it may be configured for individual imaging eitherelectronically, optically, or positionally. Regardless, as a result ofthe imaging capability, predetermined positions of the slides or reagentcontainers or bottles that are loaded into the automatic stainingapparatus may not be required, since the apparatus may be adapted toautomatically identify new slides and reagent bottles once they areloaded into the apparatus.

In an embodiment, the reagent containers and the slides may be providedwith an optical identification element. For example, a reagent containermay be provided with a reagent optical identification element and aslide may be provided with a slide optical identification element. Theseoptical identification elements may contain machine readable dataconcerning the reagent type as well as other relevant data relating tothe reagent in the bottle, and the slide identifiers may contain dataconcerning the tissue sample, such as identification of the patient, thestaining protocol, etc. An optical identification element may includereiterated information or perhaps even redundant information. This mayinclude information that is repeated or even partially repeated and mayeven include information that may or may not be in different versionswhich may relate to similar information.

The optical identification element or alternatively opticalidentification means may be on or even mounted on the reagent containeror on the slides in such a manner that the optical identificationelement is readable by the optical sensor. By being positioned “on” itis intended that any manner of association be encompassed; thus itshould be understood that separate attachment or surface mounting is notrequired. Similarly, by being “above” it should be understood that thismay exist not only in a sense such as with respect to gravity, but alsoin a figurative sense such as roughly perpendicularly above a surface orthe like. In an embodiment, the optical identification element may bereadable from above by the optical sensor or alternatively means.Furthermore, the optical identification element may be provided on alabel, which is perhaps adhesively attachable to a specific slide orreagent bottle. Hereby, the labels or perhaps adhesive labels may bepresented to the optical sensor means on the robotic head above theslides and the reagent bottles facilitating the reading of the opticalidentification means. By providing the optical identification means on aprinted label which is attached to the slide, respectively the reagentbottle, individual labels may be prepared on site and the relevant datamay be entered into a computer and a corresponding label carrying saidrelevant data may be printed on an associated label printer.

In an embodiment of the invention, one type of optical identificationelement may be a two-dimensional high-resolution symbology code, e.g. ofthe so-called “INFOGLYPH™” type. The optical identification may also bemore generically a two-dimensional symbology. Two-dimensional symbologymay be representative of data including, but not limited to: tissuesample related data, patient identification data, staining protocoldata, reagent related data, regent type data, regent volume relateddata, regent durability related data, and the like data. By encoding therelevant information into numerous tiny, individual graphic elements,typically small lines in 45° diagonal lines as short as 0.02 mm ( 1/100inch), a high resolution with high contrast encoded information labelmay be achieved which is printable in a printer and readable by a highresolution camera. The type of encoded 2-D symbology label may beprovided in different colors and in a variety of materials.

Alternatively, the optical identification means or alternatively theoptical identification element may be a data matrix code or even aone-dimensional bar code, namely the identification code with a patternof vertical bars whose width and spacing identifies an item marked. Anadvantage of using an optical sensor capable of reading 2-D symbology isthat the apparatus may be capable of reading any kind of opticalidentifier, as this is only requires an adaptation in the softwareprocessing the captured perhaps digital image.

In an embodiment, an optical identification element label may include atwo-dimensional (2-D) symbology zone and even at least one humanreadable text zone, each as conceptually depicted in FIG. 5. Hereby, anextra visual inspection of the label by the operator may be provided forverification of the printed label.

In a more advanced usage of the 2-D image capturing capability, theimage processing capability or image processor element may be adapted toidentify the texture or outline of the tissue sample itself captured bythe optical sensor and may use said image-captured tissue property as anindividual identification of the tissue sample. The optical sensor maybe configured to identify desired features of the tissue samples such asbut not limited to the texture, outline, a visual property, or even anindividual feature of a tissue sample. Of course, various differentfeatures or properties may be identified as desirable to detect orperhaps identify, a property which may include any attribute,characteristic, or the like. This embodiment could make the use of slidelabels obsolete, as the tissue texture itself or at least a predefinedsection thereof (with or without magnification) could be used as anidentifier for a list of data in the control software.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical sensor may bea moveable optical sensor which may be moveable along the areas abovethe staining and the reagent sections, and said optical sensor may beadapted to determine the presence of and the positions of slides in theat least one staining section. This may be facilitated by having theoptical sensor movable in response to or perhaps on a robotic element.Once a new set of slides are being loaded into the apparatus, thisfeature would allow the staining apparatus according to this embodimentof the invention to automatically determine where the slides arepositioned so that the optimal scheduling of treatment steps can becalculated. The optical sensor may even determine the approximatelocation and the approximate area of a tissue sample. Furthermore, thiscapability may also provide the apparatus control software with warningif a slide is not correctly positioned or other irregularities haveoccurred during the loading of the slides.

In another embodiment of the invention, the optical sensor may beadapted to locate pre-selected reference locations for self-calibrationof the robotic control system or robotic element controlling themovements of the robotic head. The camera can be used to teach therobotic arm critical locations necessary to calibrate the system,allowing the apparatus to properly position the robotic head to allrequired positions and locations within the platform work area. If theapparatus has been moved or otherwise been tampered with, e.g. due tomaintenance, etc., this feature may provide the staining apparatusaccording to the invention with the capability of self-calibrating therobotic motion control system, e.g. if the slides are arranged in racks(intended to broadly encompass any locationally tied collection) bychecking if the slide rack fit correctly into a receiving element in theapparatus, and/or by determining the position of predefined referencecomponents of the apparatus.

In another embodiment of the invention, the optical sensor may be acamera adapted to record an image of the finalized tissue sample aftersaid tissue sample has been subjected to a staining protocol forrecording an image of the manipulated tissue sample. Hereby, a pictureor digital image of the stained tissue sample may be recorded,preferably in a high resolution, for later examination or for sendingthis digitalize picture to a remote location for examination.Accordingly, in embodiments the present invention may provide forstoring an image relevant to the process of staining tissue samples.This may include images both before and after staining or some otheroperation, of course. Also, this feature of the invention may providefor archiving images of the about to be stained or the stained tissuesamples for later verification of the tissue sample analysis or theidentification if this should it be required. Thus the invention mayautomatically facilitate a user activity such as those mentioned. Tounderstand the various possibilities, the automatic facilitation may beof activities including, but not limited to, later accessing ahistorical image of a stained tissue sample, remotely accessing an imageof a stained tissue sample, archiving an image of a stained tissuesample, later accessing a historical image of an unstained tissuesample, remotely accessing an image of an unstained tissue sample,archiving an image of an unstained tissue sample, and the likeactivities.

A sensor may be provided in some embodiments that may automaticallyidentify information from one or more slides or reagent containers. Insome embodiments, protocol information may be provided by the adaptivesample processing control system. The sample processing system mayprocess one or more slides, or one or more batches of slides,concurrently, sequentially, or in any other temporal fashion,potentially in accordance with protocol information provided by a slidehaving a sample or provided by the adaptive sample processing controlsystem. Sample batches or individual slides may be inserted or removedduring processing protocol steps by the control and monitoringaccomplished by the adaptive sample processing control system.

Another embodiment of the present invention that may achieve theforegoing and other objects of invention may comprise a method of sampleprocessing, comprising the steps of: accessing at least one of aplurality of drawers, providing at least one sample carrier retainmentassembly configured with at least one sample carrier, configuring atleast one of the drawers with the at least one sample carrier retainmentassemblies, and adaptively processing the sample carriers. The step ofadaptive processing may automate the processing of samples and may allowfor either or both continuous or batch processing of slides, and mayafford multiple independent slide processing and in some embodimentsredundant slide processing to process each slide independently.

Embodiments of the invention may further comprise a method of automatedsample processing, comprising the steps of: acquiring protocolinformation, transmitting the protocol information to at least onesample processing system, adaptively processing samples, and acquiringsample processing information from the step of adaptively processing.Furthermore, embodiments may provide: maintaining the protocolinformation, maintaining the sample processing information, informationsharing of protocol information, and sample processing information.These and other method steps may be provided for individual samples ormultiple batch processing, sample diagnostic features, and real-time oradaptive capabilities for multiple batch processing.

Many aspects of invention are applicable to immunohistochemistry (IHC)techniques, as well as in-situ hybridization (ISH) and fluorescentin-situ hybridization (FISH) special staining of samples, andmicroarrays, especially techniques incorporating target retrieval or thestaining of samples.

Support should be understood to exist for the following aspects andembodiments of the invention:

-   -   An automatic staining apparatus comprising:        -   at least one reagent container;        -   at least one sample;        -   a robotic element adapted to affect said reagent container            and said sample;        -   a control element to which said robotic element is            responsive; and        -   an image-capture 2-D optical sensor configured to two            dimensionally image at least one element in said automatic            staining apparatus.    -   A method of identifying at least one property in an automatic        staining apparatus comprising the steps of:        -   providing at least one sample;        -   providing at least one reagent container;        -   providing a robotic element adapted to affect said reagent            container and said sample;        -   optically sensing a two dimensional image of at least one            element in said automatic staining apparatus;        -   recording relevant image data; and        -   feeding said image data to a control element to which said            robotic element is responsive.    -   A method of staining samples in an automatic staining apparatus        comprising the steps of:        -   providing at least one sample;        -   providing at least one reagent container;        -   providing a robotic element adapted to affect said reagent            container and said sample;        -   providing an optical sensor responsive to said robotic            element and adapted to sense a two dimensional image of at            least one element in said automatic staining apparatus;        -   recording relevant image data; and        -   feeding said image data to a control element to which said            robotic element is responsive.    -   An automatic staining apparatus comprising:        -   at least one reagent container;        -   at least one sample;        -   a robotic element adapted to affect said reagent container            and said sample;        -   a control element to which said robotic element is            responsive; and        -   a multifunction optical sensor configured to sense at least            one element in said automatic staining apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following the invention is described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a staining apparatus accordingto the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the work area in the staining apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the robotic element in the stainingapparatus according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a reagent bottle with optical identificationmeans;

FIG. 5 is a microscope slide with an optical identifier label thereon;

FIG. 6 is an example of a lay-out of this label; and

FIGS. 7 to 10 are examples of various kinds of optical identifying meanson the slides.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An automatic staining apparatus 1 according to the invention is shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The automatic staining apparatus 1 comprises arectangular frame 4 surrounding a reagent station or section 2comprising an array of reagent bottle or container compartments, whereineach compartment a reagent vial or reagent container 3 is placed, and afirst and second slide sections 5 wherein a number of separate racks 6is placed, and where each rack 6 comprises a number of microscope slides7 mounted side by side in the rack 6. A plurality of reagent containersor even slides may be placed in any desired order, an array. In theembodiment shown, each rack may hold up to 8 slides, but the rack may bedesigned to hold any suitable number of slides. With eight racksarranged side by side, the shown embodiments may hold up to 64 slides 7each having a sample, e.g. a tissue mounted on the upper side of theslide, so that reagent may be applied from above to the sample on eachslide. The sample processed may be any material, but is most likely abiologic material such as a biological sample or a biological specimen,perhaps such as a histological sample, e.g. tissue and cell specimens,cells, collections of cells, or tissue samples, the definition toinclude cell lines, proteins and synthetic peptides, tissues, cellpreps, cell preparations, blood, bodily fluids, bone marrow, cytologyspecimens, blood smears, thin-layer preparations, and micro arrays. Itshould also be understood to include slide-based biological samples.

As mentioned, the present invention may include a robotic element, whichmay somehow affect the reagent container and tissue sample. Thus anysort of action to, action resulting from, or merely information from thereagent container or tissue sample may be facilitated through therobotic element. The robotic element, in embodiments, may be adapted toperform staining of the slides with (including as a result of or inconjunction with) the reagent application or the like. The robot arm orrobotic element 20 may also remove reagent from a reagent container to apredetermined tissue sample. For example, a robotic element 20 formoving a probe 10 in X and Y (as well as Z) direction as indicated bythe arrows X and Y is arranged above the frame 4 of the stainingapparatus. A robot arm may position the probe 10 above all reagent vials3 as well as above all the slides 7, and may further operate the probe10 to aspirate portions of reagent contained in any of the vials 3, totransfer the portion of reagent and apply it to any of the slides 7 inorder to provide a selected staining or treatment of the sample on eachslide 7. A control element may manage a staining process by controllingthe entire process or even any portion of it. By use of a suitablecontrol element or alternatively a control means e.g. capability withina computer (not shown) having the appropriate software and input datafor the purpose, this staining apparatus 1 may be able to automaticallystain or treat samples requiring different staining or treatmentreagents and processes.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the probe 10 is accommodated in a robotichead 22 and is manipulated by the robotic element 20. The probe 10 israised to an upper position (in a Z direction) where it is clear of thevials 3 underneath the probe 10, but the robot may include means orelement in the robotic head 22 for lowering the probe 10 in order to dipthe probe tip into the content of a selected reagent vial 3 and toaspirate a selected amount of reagent for the selected staining ortreatment process. In an embodiment, the present invention may includeproviding an optical sensor 86 on a robotic element and perhaps movingthe optical sensor to a predetermined position through action of therobotic element. As but one example, the robotic head 22 may be providedwith an optical sensor 86, perhaps even a CCD camera 25 pointingdownwards. An optical sensor may be positioned on or perhaps morebroadly in response to the robotic element. After the optical sensor ispositioned, image data may be recorded at the location at which theoptical sensor is established.

In some embodiments a robotic element 20 or even a robotic head 22 mayinclude a variety of components, including but not limited to a pushtool 38 that may be connected to an air cylinder 39, a probe 10 that maybe responsive to a probe movement element 36 which may even be connectedto a syringe pump 37, and an optical sensor 86 as shown in FIG. 3.

In embodiments, the optical sensor may detect two-dimensional image dataof a relevant property. It may also be adapted to sense atwo-dimensional image of an element in general. The camera may beutilized to determine status information of the slides and the reagentbottles and other features of the apparatus in the work area, forexample reading a code provided on a reagent container to determine thereagent type and the reagent location within the system. The camera mayalso determine status of the tissue sample carriers, for example thelocation of a particular slide, informational indicia, such as a code,that indicate information about the tissue sample presented on the slideor the processing protocol to be performed. A camera may be used fordiagnostic purposes. In some embodiments, the sample may be scanned forfurther analysis, potentially by a computer. The present invention mayinclude, in embodiments, a computer image biological analysis element orperhaps even biologically analysing image data of a sample with acomputer.

As previously discussed, the invention may include recording a varietyof relevant image data. Of course, a variety of relevant image data maybe recorded.

Importantly, this may include recording element calibration referencepoints, or perhaps even robotic element calibration reference positionson or in the apparatus. As mentioned, the invention may also provide forrecording slide identification image data and reagent identificationimage data. A significant aspect of an embodiment is the possibility ofrecording an optical identification element of a particular slide orperhaps merely recording information relevant to an element. Suchinformation may include information concerning the tissue sample, ofcourse. Similarly, optical identification may be recorded on a reagentcontainer that may include information concerning the reagent containedtherein. It may provide for recording a two-dimensional symbology on aslide or even on a reagent container. Two-dimensional symbology recordedon a slide may represent data including, but not limited to: tissuesample related data, patient identification data, staining protocoldata, or the like. Two-dimensional symbology recorded on a reagentcontainer may represent data including, but not limited to: reagentrelated data, reagent type data, reagent volume related data, reagentdurability related data, or the like. It may also provide a connectionelement through which captured image data may be transferred to thecontrol element. It may include feeding the image data to a controlelement so that the robotic element may respond. After the relevantimage data has been recorded, and perhaps as a result of feeding thatdata to the control element, the invention may manipulate a staining orother process according to that relevant image data. Thus the inventionmay perform staining of slides according to tissue specific protocols.

The staining apparatus 1 of the present embodiment further comprises aprobe washing station 8 and a reagent mixer 9, and the robotic element20 is furthermore arranged to transfer the probe to the washing station8 as well as to the reagent mixer 9.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reagent bottle 3 may be provided with an area 30on a surface on which to mount an optical identification element. Thisoptical identifier may be an adhesive label 31 carrying encodedinformation about the content of the bottle 3, such as reagent type,date of manufacture, expiry date, etc. The encoded information could bein the form of a data matrix code, an INFOGLYPH™ code or any other kindof 2-D code, and could in principle also be a simple 1-D code, i.e. abar code. Additionally, the label 31 may also be provided with humanreadable text to aid the operator handling the reagent bottles e.g.during loading of bottles into the staining apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows a slide 7 with a label 71 mounted thereon. One layout ofthe label 71 is shown in FIG. 6. The label 71 may be an adhesive opticalidentifier, which may be prepared for the particular slide and printedon a label printer (not shown) or any other suitable printing device. Itis even possible that in a particular situation, if a batch of slides isto be subjected to the same treatment, a series of identical labelscould be provided for the slides. The label 71 may comprise an area 72for encoded information about the tissue sample on the slide 7, such aspatient data, date and file number, the staining protocol and/or theseries of process steps. Furthermore, the label 71 may be provided withone or more rows 73 of human readable text and/or blank space for thelaboratory personnel preparing the slides to write on the slide label.

In FIGS. 7 to 9 various kinds of data encoded symbology for the label 71(the entire label 71 as shown or only for the label area 72 (see FIG.6)).

In FIG. 7, an example of a 2-D symbology of the INFOGLYPH™ type isshown. This may include perhaps even an information carpet type ofsymbology. This type of 2-D symbology is advantageous since it can carrya large amount of optically machine-readable information. Making use ofa high-resolution camera, this type of symbology may be readable in ahigh resolution and a large amount of information can be encodedtherein. The symbology may be printed with tiny diagonal lines indifferent directions or perhaps even colors and can easily be read by aCCD camera or the like.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a data matrix code that can be used as analternative to the INFOGLYPH™ symbology. The data matrix is similarlyreadable with a CCD camera but may not carry as many data in theencoding as the INFOGLYPH™. However, it is easier to print as it mayhave a less high resolution making it a simple and cost effectivesolution if less identification data on the slides and the reagentbottles is required. A yet simpler solution is shown in FIG. 9, wherethe symbology is the old bar code. In principle this means that only abar code scanner is required for reading the slides and the reagentbottle information, but by using a 2-D sensor, the possibility ofself-calibration and monitoring the installation of slides and reagentsin the staining apparatus may be enhanced.

In an embodiment, the optical identifiers on the slides and on thereagent bottles are the same type. This may facilitate the imageprocessing of the identification process in the staining apparatus.

A different approach to identifying the individual slides or as a way offacilitating the new capabilities of confirming identification orstoring confirmatory information may be to record the contour and/or thetexture of the tissue sample 74 itself, such as shown in FIG. 10.Utilizing the high-resolution of the image that can be recorded by thecamera, the unique features of the tissue sample itself can be used as agraphical identifier of the slide. Furthermore, an image of the stainedtissue sample can be recorded so that a digital representation of thetissue sample is produced. This digital image can be sent electronicallyto remote locations for instant examination and/or archived for laterexamination. This may provide the staining apparatus with a uniqueflexibility in use and may introduce new and advantageous methods ofanalyzing the tissue samples.

Besides identifying the microscope slides and the reagent bottles in thestaining apparatus, the 2-D optical sensor can also be used forself-calibration of the apparatus, e.g. after maintenance, if theapparatus has been disassembled or moved to another location. Byidentifying critical locations within the apparatus by capturing animage by the camera, the image processing software can compare thecaptured image with a reference image to determine if certain criticalcomponents in the apparatus are off-set from their predeterminedpositions, e.g. if a slide rack or a slide is slightly off-set, and ifso, a set of correction data for the robotic motion control system maybe calculated and this set of data may be used for calibrating theapparatus. If the correction needed exceeds a certain size, a warningcould be automatically issued to an operator, so that it is ensured thatthe apparatus does not malfunction during the processing of the slides.Furthermore, this image analysis system could also be used fordetermining if a slide is present or dislocated in the rack in order toproduce a warning signal.

By the invention, it is realised that a variety of changes of the abovedescription of some preferred embodiments of the invention may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in theclaims. As can be easily understood, the basic concepts of the presentinvention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves bothstaining techniques as well as various systems, assemblies, and devicesto accomplish staining and other functions. In this application, thestaining techniques are also disclosed as part of the results shown tobe achieved by the various systems, assemblies, and devices describedand as steps that are inherent to utilization. They should be understoodto be the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended anddescribed. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should beunderstood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also canbe varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing,all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by thisdisclosure.

The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may notexplicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives areimplicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of theinvention and may not explicitly show how each feature or element canactually be representative of a broader filmation or of a great varietyof alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitlyincluded in this disclosure. Where the invention is described indevice-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitlyperforms a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for thedevice described, but also method or process claims may be included toaddress the functions the invention and each element performs. Neitherthe description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope ofthe disclosure.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the invention. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both theexplicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon to supportadditional claims for presentation in this or subsequent patentapplication.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should beunderstood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of anembodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment,or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, itshould be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of theinvention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalentapparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result isthe same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should beconsidered to be encompassed in the description of each element oraction. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit theimplicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As butone example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressedas a means for taking that action or as an element which causes thataction. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understoodto encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, thedisclosure of a “sensor” should be understood to encompass disclosure ofthe act of “sensing”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and,conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “sensing”,such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a“sensor” and even a “means for sensing”. It should also be understoodthat in jurisdictions where specific language may be construed aslimiting, as but one example in the United States where someinterpretations of “means for” elements can be construed narrowly,broader equivalent language (such as “element” or the like) may be usedto avoid the narrow interpretation and should be understood asencompassed by this specification. Such changes and alternative termsare to be understood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any patents, patent applications, publications, or other referencesmentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated byreference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understoodthat unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent withsuch interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understoodas incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms,and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's UnabridgedDictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference.Finally, any priority case for this application is hereby appended andhereby incorporated by reference.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim atleast: i) each of the sample processing systems and subsystems as hereindisclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed anddescribed, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations ofeach of these systems, assemblies, devices and methods, iv) thosealternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as aredisclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods whichaccomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplishthat which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, andstep shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applicationsenhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) theresulting products produced by such systems or components, and ix)methods and systems, assemblies, devices, and apparatuses substantiallyas described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanyingexamples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of theelements disclosed, xi) each potentially dependent claim or concept as adependency on each and every one of the independent claims or conceptspresented, xii) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer asdescribed throughout the above discussion, xiii) a programmable systemas described throughout the above discussion, xiv) a computer readablememory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means orelements which function as described throughout the above discussion,xv) a computer configured as herein disclosed and described, xvi)individual or combined subroutines and programs as herein disclosed anddescribed, xvii) the related methods disclosed and described, xviii)similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of thesesystems and methods, xix) those alternative designs which accomplisheach of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xx) thosealternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functionsshown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed anddescribed, xxi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate andindependent inventions, and xxii) the various combinations andpermutations of each of the above.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” or the like is used to maintain the “open-end” claimsherein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless thecontext requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term“comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” or thelike, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step orgroup of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element orstep or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted intheir most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadestcoverage legally permissible.

Any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference aspart of this description of the invention, and the applicant expresslyreserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporatedcontent of such claims as additional description to support any of orall of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicantfurther expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all ofthe incorporated content of such claims or any element or componentthereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessaryto define the matter for which protection is sought by this applicationor by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

1. An automatic staining apparatus comprising: at least one removablereagent container positioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section;at least one slide positioned within a slide section; wherein a roboticelement is configured to move above the reagent section and above theslide section during a staining process and wherein the reagent rack isremovable below the plane of the robotic element; wherein the reagentsection is situated to enable the at least one removable reagentcontainer to be added to or removed from the apparatus withoutinterrupting the movement of the robotic element during dispensing of atleast one reagent during the staining process; wherein the roboticelement comprises an optical sensor configured to automatically identifynew slides and reagent bottles loaded into the apparatus during thestaining process; and a control element to which the robotic element isresponsive, the control element configured to monitor insertion orremoval of the at least one removable reagent container during thestaining process and to continue movement of the robotic element anddispensing of at least one reagent during insertion or removal of the atleast one removable reagent container.
 2. An apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the optical sensor is adapted to locate pre-selectedreference features for self-calibration of the robotic element.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sample is placed on the atleast one slide, and wherein the optical sensor is adapted to record animage of the finalized sample after said sample has been subjected tothe staining process.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, furthercomprising: at least one element provided on the at least one removablereagent container and the at least one slide; wherein at least oneelement comprises an element selected from a group consisting of: atwo-dimensional high-resolution symbology code, a datamatrix code, a barcode, an adhesive label, a two dimensional symbology zone, and a humanreadable text zone.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theoptical sensor is configured to identify a feature selected from a groupconsisting of: the texture of the sample, the outline of the sample, avisual property of the sample, and an individual identification featureof the sample.
 6. A method of identifying at least one property in anautomatic staining apparatus comprising the steps of: providing at leastone sample on a slide positioned within a slide section; providing atleast one reagent container positioned on a reagent rack within areagent section; wherein a robotic element is configured to move abovethe slide section and above the reagent section during a stainingprocess and wherein the reagent rack is removable below the plane of therobotic element; wherein the at least one reagent container is added toor removed from the apparatus without interrupting dispensing of atleast one reagent during the staining process; providing the roboticelement with an optical sensor configured to automatically identify newslides and reagent bottles loaded into the apparatus during the stainingprocess; recording relevant image data; recording calibration referencepoints of the apparatus; and feeding said image data to a controlelement to which said robotic element is responsive, the control elementconfigured to monitor insertion or removal of the at least one reagentcontainer during the staining process and to continue movement of therobotic element and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertionor removal of the at least one removable reagent container.
 7. A methodof staining samples in an automatic staining apparatus comprising thesteps of: providing at least one sample on a slide, the slide beingpositioned in a slide section within slide racks; providing at least onereagent container positioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section;wherein a robotic element is configured to move above the slide sectionand above the reagent section during a staining process and wherein thereagent rack is removable below the plane of the robotic element;wherein the at least one reagent container is added to or removed fromthe apparatus without interrupting dispensing of at least one reagentduring the staining process; providing the robotic element with anoptical sensor configured to automatically identify new slides andreagent bottles loaded into the apparatus during the staining process;recording relevant image data; recording calibration reference positionsfor said slide racks; and feeding said image data to a control elementto which said robotic element is responsive, the control elementconfigured to monitor insertion or removal of the at least one reagentcontainer during the staining process and to continue movement of therobotic element and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertionor removal of the at least one removable reagent container.
 8. Anautomatic staining apparatus comprising: at least one reagent containerpositioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section; at least onesample on a slide, the slide being positioned within a slide section;wherein a robotic element is configured to move above the reagentsection and above the slide section during a staining process andwherein the reagent rack is removable below the plane of the roboticelement; wherein the reagent section is situated to enable the at leastone reagent container to be added to or removed from the apparatuswithout interrupting the movement of the robotic element duringdispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process; whereinthe robotic element comprises an optical sensor configured toautomatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process and locate pre-selected referencefeatures for self-calibration of the robotic element; and a controlelement to which the robotic element is responsive, the control elementconfigured to monitor insertion or removal of the at least one reagentcontainer during the staining process and to continue movement of therobotic element and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertionor removal of the at least one removable reagent container.
 9. Anautomatic staining apparatus comprising: at least one reagent containeron a reagent rack in a reagent section; at least one first samplecontained on a slide in a first slide section; at least one secondsample contained on a slide in a second slide section, wherein saidfirst slide section and said second slide section are separated by saidreagent section; wherein a robotic element is configured to move abovethe reagent section and above the first and second slide sections duringa staining process and wherein the reagent rack is removable below theplane of the robotic element; wherein the reagent section is situated toenable the at least one reagent container to be added to or removed fromthe apparatus without interrupting the movement of the robotic elementduring dispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process;and a control element to which said robotic element is responsive, thecontrol element configured to monitor insertion or removal of the atleast one reagent container during the staining process and to continuemovement of the robotic element and dispensing of at least one reagentduring insertion or removal of the at least one removable reagentcontainer.
 10. An automatic staining apparatus comprising: at least onereagent container positioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section;at least one sample placed on a slide, the slide being positioned withina slide section; wherein a robotic element is configured to move abovethe reagent section and above the slide section during a stainingprocess and wherein the reagent rack is removable below the plane of therobotic element; wherein the reagent section is situated to enable theat least one reagent container to be added to or removed from theapparatus without interrupting the movement of the robotic elementduring dispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process;wherein the robotic element comprises an optical sensor configured toautomatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process and image at least one opticalidentification element; and a control element to which the roboticelement is responsive, the control element configured to monitorinsertion or removal of the at least one reagent container duringthe-staining process using the optical identification element and tocontinue movement of the robotic element and dispensing of at least onereagent during insertion or removal of the at least one removablereagent container.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein theoptical identification element has reiterated information, saidreiterated information comprises multiple reiterated information.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 11 wherein said reiterated informationcomprises redundant information.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11wherein said optical identification element comprises a two-dimensionalhigh-resolution symbology code.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 11wherein said optical identification element comprises a datamatrix code.15. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said opticalidentification element comprises a bar code.
 16. An automatic stainingapparatus comprising: at least one reagent container positioned on areagent rack within a reagent section; at least one sample on a slide,the slide being positioned within a slide section; wherein a roboticelement is configured to move above the reagent section and above theslide section during a staining process and wherein the reagent rack isremovable below the plane of the robotic element; wherein the reagentsection is situated to enable the at least one reagent container to beadded to or removed from the apparatus without interrupting the movementof the robotic element during dispensing of at least one reagent duringthe staining process; wherein the robotic element comprises an opticalsensor configured to automatically identify new slides and reagentbottles loaded into the apparatus during the staining process; acomputer image biological analysis element; and a control element towhich the robotic element is responsive, the control element configuredto monitor insertion or removal of the at least one reagent containerduring the staining process, wherein the optical sensor records a firstimage of the at least one sample before staining and records a secondimage of the sample after staining and to continue movement of therobotic element and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertionor removal of the at least one removable reagent container.
 17. Anapparatus according to claim 16 wherein said optical sensor comprises acamera.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said cameracomprises a CCD element.
 19. A method of identifying at least oneproperty in an automatic staining apparatus comprising the steps of:providing at least one sample, the sample being placed on a slide in aremovable slide rack, the slide rack being positioned within a slidesection; providing at least one reagent container positioned on areagent rack within a reagent section; wherein a robotic element isconfigured to move above the reagent section and above the slide sectionduring a staining process and wherein the reagent rack is removablebelow the plane of the robotic element; wherein the at least one reagentcontainer is added to or removed from the apparatus without interruptingdispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process;providing the robotic element with an optical sensor configured toautomatically identify new slides and regent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process; recording relevant image data;feeding said image data to a control element to which said roboticelement is responsive, the control element configured to monitorinsertion or removal of the at least one reagent container during thestaining process and to continue movement of the robotic element anddispensing of at least one reagent during insertion or removal of the atleast one removable reagent container; and biologically analysing imagedata of said at least one sample with a computer.
 20. A method accordingto claim 19, wherein said optical sensor comprises a camera.
 21. Amethod according to claim 20, wherein said camera comprises a CCDelement.
 22. A method of staining tissue samples in an automaticstaining apparatus comprising the steps of: providing at least oneremovable sample on at least one slide positioned within a slidesection; providing at least one reagent container positioned on areagent rack within a reagent section; wherein a robotic element isconfigured to move above the reagent section and above the slide sectionduring a staining process and wherein the reagent rack is removablebelow the plane of the robotic element; wherein the at least one reagentcontainer is be added to or removed from the apparatus withoutinterrupting dispensing of at least one reagent during the stainingprocess; providing the robotic element with an optical sensor configuredto automatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process; recording relevant image data;feeding said image data to a control element to which said roboticelement is responsive, the control element configured to monitorinsertion or removal of the at least one reagent container during thestaining process and to continue movement of the robotic element anddispensing of at least one reagent during insertion or removal of the atleast one removable reagent container; and biologically analysing imagedata of said at least one sample with a computer.
 23. A method accordingto claim 22, wherein said optical sensor comprises a camera.
 24. Amethod according to claim 22, wherein said optical sensor comprises aCCD element.
 25. A method according to claim 22, further comprising astep of storing an image relevant to the staining process.
 26. Anautomatic staining apparatus comprising: at least one reagent containerpositioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section; at least onesample, the sample being placed on a slide positioned within a slidesection; wherein a robotic element is configured to move above thereagent section and above the slide section during a staining processand wherein the reagent rack is removable below the plane of the roboticelement; wherein the reagent section is situated to enable the at leastone reagent container to be added to or removed from the apparatuswithout interrupting the movement of the robotic element duringdispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process; whereinthe robotic element comprises a multifunction optical sensor configuredto automatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process; a computer image biologicalanalysis element; and a control element to which the robotic element isresponsive, the control element configured to monitor insertion orremoval of the at least one reagent container during the stainingprocess and to continue movement of the robotic element and dispensingof at least one reagent during insertion or removal of the at least oneremovable reagent container.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 26,wherein said optical sensor comprises a camera.
 28. An apparatusaccording to claim 26, wherein said optical sensor comprises a CCDelement.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising astored image relevant to the staining process.
 30. An automatic stainingapparatus comprising: at least one removable reagent containerpositioned on a reagent rack within a reagent section; at least twostaining sections separated by the reagent section; at least one sampleplaced on a slide in a slide rack, the slide rack being positionedwithin the staining sections; wherein a robotic element is configured tomove above the reagent section and above the staining sections during astaining process and wherein the reagent rack is removable below theplane of the robotic element; wherein the reagent section is situated toenable the at least one reagent container to be added to or removed fromthe apparatus without interrupting the movement of the robotic elementduring dispensing of at least one reagent during the staining process;wherein the robotic element comprises an optical sensor configured toautomatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process; and a control element to whichthe robotic element is responsive, the control element configured tomonitor insertion or removal of the at least one removable reagentcontainer during the staining process and to continue movement of therobotic element and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertionor removal of the at least one removable reagent container.
 31. A methodof staining tissue samples in an automatic staining apparatus comprisingthe steps of: providing at least one slide positioned within a slidesection; providing at least one removable reagent container positionedon a reagent rack within a reagent section; wherein a robotic element isconfigured to move above the reagent section and above the slide sectionduring a staining process and wherein the reagent rack is removablebelow the plane of the robotic element; wherein the at least one reagentcontainer is be added to or removed from the apparatus withoutinterrupting dispensing of at least one reagent during the stainingprocess; providing the robotic element with an optical sensor configuredto automatically identify new slides and reagent bottles loaded into theapparatus during the staining process; recording relevant image data;and feeding said image data to a control element to which said roboticelement is responsive, the control element configured to monitorinsertion or removal of the at least one removable reagent containerduring the staining process and to continue movement of the roboticelement and dispensing of at least one reagent during insertion orremoval of the at least one removable reagent container.